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High Park Coach (1946-1952)

(Last Modified on June 25, 2015 9:38 PM)

Compiled by Pete Coulman

The TTC's "Coach" services were premium express routes established by the Toronto Transportation Commission in 1925. The idea was to offer an express run between the downtown and Toronto's far flung suburbs. Passengers would pay higher fares for the faster service and the comfortable seats. Typically, "Gray Coach" buses were used. A number of Coach services were established by the TTC between 1925 and 1954, including the BEACH COACH, the ROSEDALE COACH, the MOUNT PLEASANT COACH and the HILL COACH.

October 1, 1946

Service begins on the new HIGH PARK premium-fare coach service. Buses depart from the corner of Adelaide and Yonge and travel via south on Yonge, west on Wellington, south on Bay, west on Fleet, west on Lakeshore, north on Parkside, north on Indian Road, west on Bloor, north on High Park, west on Humberside and then via Glendonwynne, Evelyn Avenue, Evelyn Crescent, Glenwood, Runnymede and Ardagh, looping via Jane, Annette & Evans to Ardagh and returning over the reverse route to Fleet Street, and then via Harbour and Bay to Adelaide Street. Service operates weekdays and Saturdays with no evening, Sunday or holiday service.

HIGH PARK

Monday to Saturday, daytime only

December 16, 1946

The new Adelaide Coach Terminal opens. HIGH PARK COACH buses operate through the terminal.

January 12, 1948

During the morning rush hours, Monday to Friday, certain trips (specifically the second westbound trip) are routed via Indian Road, Bloor and Runnymede, instead of High Park and Humberside, to Ardagh. The second eastbound trip departs from Glenwood and Runnymede instead of Jane Street.

April 2, 1951

Smoking privilege abolished (smoking was previously permitted in the three rear seats).

March 24, 1952

Weekday midday service and Saturday morning service discontinued. HIGH PARK COACH buses operate during morning and afternoon rush hours and Saturday afternoons only.

June 14, 1952

Last day of Saturday operation

October 17, 1952

Last day of operation. Service discontinued due to low ridership.

High Park Coach Image Archive

The Adelaide Coach Terminal, opened by the TTC on December 16, 1946, was the downtown destination and departure point for the TTC's premium coach services. When these services faded out in the early 1950s, the coach terminal became surplus, as Grey Coach buses continued to use the main Toronto bus terminal near Bay and Dundas. This shot, courtesy of the Toronto Archives, shows Adelaide Coach Terminal, looking southwest from Yonge Street.

A shot of the Adelaide Coach terminal from above, circa 1950.

TTC-owned Gray Coaches wait at Sherbourne Garage on March 9, 1951. These coaches were used for intercity service (see TALBOTVILLE) and also for the TTC's premium fare city coach services (especially MOUNT PLEASANT COACH and HIGH PARK COACH). Photo courtesy the TTC, donated by Pete Coulman.

TTC coaches, bound for scrap, await their fate at the northwest corner of Esplanade East and Sherbourne on March 8, 1953. One bus is bearing an exposure for the HIGH PARK COACH. Image courtesy the TTC, donated by Pete Coulman.

A map of the HIGH PARK COACH route, circa 1950.

A schedule for HIGH PARK COACH services, circa late 1940s.

TTC CC&F-built Large Peter Witt #2470 heads southbound on Bathurst, crossing Front Street, its destination sign anticipating its subsequent run north. Note the planking on Front Street, part of the YONGE subway construction work. Note also the Gray Coach bus behind, serving the HIGH PARK COACH route. This photograph was taken on May 2, 1950 by Norman Rolfe and is courtesy John F. Bromley.

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